KPDCL launches Digital Handbook on Winter Preparedness 2026–27

• Comprehensive winter action plan covering network readiness, swift restoration, grievance redressal and consumer safety

SRINAGAR: In view of the prevailing weather advisory and ahead of the winter season, the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) today launched its Digital Handbook on Winter Preparedness 2026–27, placing its comprehensive winter action plan for Kashmir Division in the public domain.

The initiative, undertaken under the directions of the Minister for Power, J&K, aims to promote transparency, strengthen accountability and facilitate informed public participation in ensuring reliable and safe power supply during the winter months.

The Handbook, themed "Readiness, Restoration and Consumer Safety," serves as a comprehensive reference document outlining KPDCL's winter preparedness measures, buffer stocks, restoration mechanisms, grievance redressal channels and essential safety advisories for its 13.53 lakh consumers.

Among the key highlights of the Handbook is a detailed overview of the Corporation's power distribution network, comprising 353 Receiving Stations with a capacity of 5,021.65 MVA, 135 33 kV feeders, 1,334 11 kV feeders and 49,935 Distribution Transformers.

It also outlines the pre-winter preparedness measures undertaken by KPDCL, including clearance of power corridors through regular shutdowns, augmentation of overloaded distribution transformers, renovation and modernisation of receiving stations, and rectification of identified fault-prone hotspots to minimise power disruptions.

To ensure prompt replacement of damaged equipment and minimise restoration time, the Handbook provides division-wise details of buffer stocks, including 1,096 and 824 distribution transformers, along with buffer stocks of 33/11 kV power transformers and essential materials such as conductors, electric poles, transformer oil and AB cables. These materials have been positioned across divisions, including in areas vulnerable to floods and landslides.

The Corporation has also put in place Swift Restoration Teams (SRTs) at district and divisional levels, supported by dedicated teams and control rooms to ensure timely response to power outages and other emergencies. For the convenience of consumers, the Handbook provides the names and contact numbers of Assistant Executive Engineers, Assistant Engineers and Junior Engineers of every Electric Division and Sub-Division, enabling the public to directly approach the concerned officials for assistance.

Emphasising consumer convenience, the Handbook also details the available 24×7 grievance redressal mechanisms. Consumers can register their complaints through the helpline 1912, toll-free number 18001807666, JK Samadhan 2.0, CPGRAMS, and KPDCL's official website and social media platforms. The document further explains the statutory grievance escalation mechanism through the Internal Grievance Redressal Forum (IGRF), Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (CGRF) and Electricity Ombudsman.

A dedicated section on public safety provides important winter-related Do's and Don'ts, advising consumers to immediately report snapped conductors, maintain a safe distance from damaged electrical installations and refrain from touching fallen wires, climbing electric poles or attempting repairs on their own.

The Digital Handbook is available on KPDCL's official website at https://kpdcl.jk.gov.in and is also being disseminated through the Corporation's official social media handles on X (@kpdcloffice), Facebook and Instagram.

KPDCL has reiterated its commitment to ensuring reliable, uninterrupted and safe power supply during Winter 2026–27 and urged the general public to extend cooperation by promptly reporting power faults, damaged installations and other unsafe conditions to the concerned authorities.